Frank Ernest Beresford (30 August 1881 – 25 May 1967) was a British painter from

Derby Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

. He is best known for his painting, ''The Princes' Vigil''.

Biography

Beresford was born in Derby in 1881 and had a long artistic education. He first studied at the Derby School of Art, then

St John's Wood Art School The St John's Wood Art School ( The Wood or Calderon's Art School) was an art school in St John's Wood, north London, England. The Art School was established in 1878 and was located on Elm Tree Road. It was founded by two art teachers, Elíseo A ...

, and finally at the

Royal Academy Schools The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House in Piccadilly London, England. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its ...

. His talent was rewarded with a travel scholarship that took him to Asia. From 1906 he returned to exhibit at the

Royal Academy The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House in Piccadilly London, England. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its ...

. Beresford was a member of the

New Society of Artists The New Society of Artists was formed in London in 1921. Its primary aim was to give a chance for artists whose work had not been accepted by the Royal Academy (RA) to exhibit their work in London and, later, in the provinces. In 1932 it became the ...

. In 1936, Beresford made the only painting of the Princes' keeping vigil with their father's body overnight. It was titled ''The Princes' Vigil: 12.15am, January 28, 1936'', and it was bought by Queen Mary who gave it to

King Edward VIII Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David; 23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972), later known as the Duke of Windsor, was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire, and Emperor of India, from 20 January ...

on his birthday. Before the war started, Beresford's first wife, the artist Daisy Radcliffe Clague, died. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, Beresford was only the second person to be awarded an ''Exceptional Service Award'' from the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

, which also has some of his paintings on permanent display. Beresford was a war artist for both the American and British air forces. His portraits include those of the Spitfire designer, Reginald Joseph Mitchell. Beresford married again in 1949. He repeated his pre-war painting of royalty lying in state when

King George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of In ...

and Queen Mary died in 1952 and 1953, respectively, but tastes had changed and this time they were not exhibited.Beresford
West End at War, accessed August 2011 Frank Beresford's works include depictions of two kings (King George V and King George VI) and a queen (

Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elisabeth or Elizabeth the Queen may refer to: Queens regnant * Elizabeth I (1533–1603; ), Queen of England and Ireland * Elizabeth II (1926–2022; ), Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms * Queen B ...

), and in the collection in his home county there is a portrait of

George Herbert Strutt George Herbert Strutt (21 April 1854 – 17 May 1928), was a cotton mill owner and philanthropist from Belper in Derbyshire. Strutt became a High Sheriff. He was a descendant of Jedediah Strutt. The Strutt family made themselves, and Britain, ri ...

owned by Belper Town Council and a view of

Dovedale Dovedale is a valley in the Peak District of England. The land is owned by the National Trust and attracts a million visitors annually. The valley was cut by the River Dove, Central England, River Dove and runs for just over between Milldale ...

in Derby Art Gallery.Beresford
BBC, accessed August 2011

Biography

References

Further reading